Play ever become work for you?

I hate it when the wife taps me on the forehead (disturbing my nap time, I might add) saying "Don't you think it's time to clean?" I just snap back anymore, "My layout is in transition, go away!".

Dear Michael,

 

Whenever it becomes like that for me, I change up what I'm doing and force myself to focus on some other aspect of the layout.

 

I can't drink either so when I want to relax, I buy a bottle of O'Doul's and fake it.

 

Mike Maurice

I'm in the process of modifying my layout and my play is on hold for awhile and it hurts a little to tear out what took me many hours to construct.  But I am looking towards the finished project when I can have new fun and play time.

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

I finally got to the point where I could run some trains. In the end that is worth it.

Im building a 15 by 58 foot layout for my uncle and he lives 4 1/2 hours away form me so 2 to 3 weekends a month I go out and work. I love trains and I love my uncle but this project became work long ago. Everybody always asks me what I do for him and when I tell them I alwasy get a "WOW, what a fun project" Yeah---NO!!! Its a lot of work

The whole point for me is fun, so if something because "work" I put it away and work on something else.  One thing I love above this hobby is the very different 'sides" it has that make is so many different hobbies: many types of model building, running trains, etc.  

       A while back I "burned out" on working on 'Streets car and truck modifications.  I had several projects underway - neat ones too, but too much is too much.  I put everything in a big box and shoved it under the workbench.  I'll do locomotive bashing and scratch-building until I get tired of that, then do some scenery and buildings (my secret rocket base, for one, which I'm looking forward to).  When it seems fun again I'll turn back to what I put in the box.

Same here. If it becomes work or no longer fun, I switch to another project. I'm retired; I'll get back to the other one eventually.

Work.Its what I do.If you got it...it has to be worked on.Trains,boat,cars,big house,band,swimming pool,etc.It's not working,it's living.

Kadee coupler conversion becomes work after a while. Like others, at that point I change over to another more enjoyable activity.  The beauty of model railroading is that there are always a dozen or so available projects to be done at any one time - can always find something to do.

I drink a few beers while I work and that helps along with listening to music.

-Greg

It only becomes work when I put deadlines on myself.

 

I generally only drink sodas and coffees while working on the layout. Later, we have a couple of beers as we enjoy the fruits of our labor.

 

Jim

In the 70's I started air brushing other peoples engines and passenger cars in non Lionel road names. It paid for buy more trains. I put a ad in TCA magazine and got way more work than I wanted. The ad ran a year. It wasn't fun anymore. It was work. Don

Small, temporary floor loops, kept me smiling while building. As long as I could hear one running, I'd be relaxed enough to avoid (mostly) the mistakes sometimes made when you try to "get er done" too fast.  

I have always looked at working on the layout as a much needed break form all the other things that a part of my daily routine. It does not matter what the layout task is, it is still is good therapy. I sure hope this outlook never changes.

a bad day playing with trains is

better than a good day at work..............

 

No!

 

Happy railroading,

Don

Not the way I do it.

 

Pete

Yes. But almost always connected to doing commissioned work for others or building for others, si I've minimized that activity unless the rewards are something directly useful.

 

Large scratchbuilding projects also seem to transition from hobby fun to work during their course towards completion, so I've backed away from initiating any more of these now for several years.

 

Right now I can actually see more of my work bench space than visible for several years.  I think I will enjoy that for a while.

I get tired of doing the same task repeatedly and then switch to another or take a break.  I only do this hobby for fun and relaxation and when it ceases to be that, I quit.  I do get "burnt out" from time to time and then I leave it alone until it's fun again.

 

Art

Sometimes. I just take a break and find something else to do. As for the layout, it will be done when it's done....

 

Gilly

All of it is fun. I have waited a long time to do this layout. Maybe it will never be done and if it gets done it will probably be time to make changes.

Steve

If the hobby becomes "work", maybe your layout and train collections are too big. I have fun with the hobby by keeping things on a manageable scale.

 

I see some forum guys who have turned the hobby into a contest for status and recognition and one-upmanship. That would take the fun out of it for me, and it alienates many of the mainstream folks. I don't have to impress other people with my workmanship to have fun with the hobby.

 

A bigger layout and more trains are not necessarily better. It can become too much work to build and maintain it all.

BINGO, Ace. You hit the nail on the head. Taking on a 14x39 for my "first" perminant layout was not a smart move. That said, I'm in too deep to stop now. Just got to keep plodding along until it's done.

 

My layout plan also does not lend itself to a "get something running" strategy. It's all or nothing. I'm getting close to the 80% mark on getting it running. For now I can roll cars on the track and make choo choo sounds if I get too whacked out.

 

Gilly

Making thirty very large rock molds for my mining section. I will break some of these up as I go but it's nothing but work. Don